Never Had Surgery Before...nervous!

[ev1988 36]

Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting on this forum, and I want to thank everyone for all of the information that is available here! This website is one of the things that has helped me make the choice to get Lap Band! My surgery is scheduled for February 13th, and today is the first day of my liquid diet. So far, so good. I have never had surgery before, and I have a pretty bad fear of needles...to the point where I could freak out right now just thinking about the fact that I will have to get an IV (which I have never experienced before). I have come to terms with the fills because I have spoken a lot with a co-worker who has assured me that fills are painless. I guess the fact that I have never experienced surgery before doesn't help with my anxiety about it. Any advice for the day of surgery or ways to deal with the anxiety that goes into this whole process?

Ahhhhhhh....I cannot believe that this is actually happening. I am VERY much so looking forward to the life changing step I am about to take!

[Holly Dolly 575]

Good for you and welcome aboard! Maybe they can give you something to take to calm your nerves before you arrive at the hospital for surgery. As far as the fills are concerned, I actually never feel her do it. I can fill the sensation of the saline going through the tubing, which is kinda of a gurlge, but no pain.

Good luck!

[AWholeNewMama 34]

Hi! I'm new here too, not banded yet, but going for my consult on Friday.

I saw your thread and had to respond, because I've had a couple surgeries. I had my appendix removed in '07, and my gallbladder removed in '09. Appendix was done the old-fashioned (not laparoscopic) way, and the gallbladder was done laparoscopically.

Honestly, neither of them was that terrible! In both cases, the nurses were really helpful. I was able to speak with the surgeon beforehand. The nurses talked me through the whole process. And my husband was able to sit with me in the pre-op area while they were getting me ready.

As far as the needles, I highly recommend just looking away. Tell the nurse in advance that you don't want to see the needle! They deal with patients who are afraid of needles all the time, and they'll be nice!

The anesthesia is sort of a weird thing, because once you wake up, you realize that you don't really remember much before the surgery! So like, I was told that I was still conscious when they wheeled me into the OR, but I don't remember it at all! Not sure if that helps you at all, but it does for me.

The recovery isn't that bad. With my appendix, I've got an approx. 2.5" scar, and with the GB, I have four small scars. The large incision hurt a LOT more than the bunch of small ones!

Anyway, good luck, and I hope that helps!

[pugsx3 39]

I can totally relate to your fear. I had emergency gallbladder surgery after I'd been in pain for 5 years because I was afraid of going under the knife. I had it done laparascopically, and was sent home half hour after they woke me up from the surgery. The pain I was in for more than 5 years leading up to it was WAY worse than the surgery. Six months after that, I had a hysterectomy, and have a 7" vertical scar, which they say is the "worst" way - and I have no regrets about that either.

If you're really that nervous - tell your surgeon, and ask your if they can give you something to calm you down the morning of the surgery, like a xanax. I'm not a health professional, so I don't know if that would cause any complications, but it can't hurt to ask. I have a friend that takes it every time she goes to the dentist - and it works like a charm.

[Lluna 14]

The best advice that I can give you since this is your first surgery is to ask for anti-nausea medication before they put you under, I'm 41 years old and this was my first surgery ever and I didn't know how bad I react to the anesthesia, I was nauseated for 3 days if I would have known this my recovery would have been much easier.

[ev1988 36]

Thank you all so much for your imput on this! I went for my pre-op appointment yesterday and started crying just talking about the IV. The nurse said they might give me something for anxiety when I first get there that day so that I am more relaxed when it comes time for the anesthesia and insertion of the IV. She said we would deal with the fills later, so I know they are going to take care of me. This is day 3 of my liquid diet and I have lost 3.3 pounds, but I never realized how hungry I would be all the time! It's probably all mental I am guessing!

[Quinnmc79 27]

HI! I too am scheduled for surgery this month, on the 24th. I'm really nervous as well - I've never had surgery or anything like that. I had an IV for the first time when I went to get an EGD done to see if I had hiatal hernia. I was a bit nervous, and have to say the IV was not pleasant. So if they offer something to reduce anxiety before that, you should be golden. the previous poster who talked about anesthesia and not remembering is right on the ball. I remember the anesthesiologist coming over and saying he was giving me something that would feel like a pitcher of margaritas. then they started wheeling me towards OR. but I remember nothing from that point, Just slowly waking up and having a conversation with a nurse after it was over.

Congrats on starting pre=op diet - best of luck to you!!!! you should join the february bandsters group if you haven't already!

[JustDoIt130 369]

Girl, I feel ya! I HATE IV's. HOWEVER- I got a shot of somthin somthin- I cannot for the life of me remember what it was- but it took all the stress out. And then she numbed the area where she was going to do the IV, and it was super easy.

Really, and I've had 3 c-sections and a severe ankle break that I had surgery and then complications with that where I had to actually give myself shots of blood thinners- the anticipation is way worse than the actuality. Practice deep breathing, ask for the happy shot , and all will be well. It will be worth it!

[horsegirl315 114]

I'm freshly banded, surgery was Monday. I had never had surgery either, and let me tell you, I was the biggest baby about the whole thing. Until I got there. The preop period was actually relaxing. I changed into my johnny, and hospital socks. The nurse had me get in the bed, took my blood pressure, and temp. She brought me a warm blanket and I watched tv until anesthesia came to visit. I told them how I'd never had surgery, and was afraid of being nauseous. They gave Mr a patch behind my ear, and I got anti nausea meds in my iv...the iv didn't bother me at all, like getting blood taken. Before I knew it, i was getting a happy shot, and being wheeled into the OR. The rest is history. And also a mystery, cause I don't remember it...lol!

[ValAnn 31]

I have to agree with all that has been written! I had NEVER had surgery of any kind before so I was really nervous. I found that reading the Surgery Day stories here on the forum kind of helped me. Reading about everyone's different stories gave me an idea of what to expect. You will see that most of them are very similar and most everyone is nervous as you are right now.

Also, a friend of mine gave me some good advice. She told me to just turn myself over to the professionals at the hospital. This is their job and I had to TRUST in them to know what they were doing and that everything would be fine. I did just that and things were fine, just as she had told me. You will speak with all of your team beforehand, they will ask you the same questions over and over again, and then you will get something to realllly help you relax, and the next thing you know you will be in recovery. Sounds simple but it really was that simple. Best of luck to you and keep reading on here as you will find TONS of helpful people and great info

[sfog 0]

Good Luck Newbie!!! I am very nervous about surgery, though I am months away from mine.( I need to complete a 6 month documented diet program to meet insurance critera). I have never been hospitalized, and the my mind runs awayat times, The reponses from everyone are most encouraging and I will keep searching this site for more advice. Thank you all.

[ev1988 36]

Hey everyone! Just wanted to give a quick update on how surgery went this past Monday. Everything went GREAT! I have had very little pain and even the IV wasn't that bad (though I will admit that I cried while they were doing it but that was completely expected!). Surgery was at 7:30 and I was leaving the hospital by 11:40 that morning. The nurses were very surprised at how well I got to the bathroom and was moving around, and I spent the rest of the day lounging on the couch. Yesterday was a little more painful, but it wasn't because of my incisions or anything like that it was mostly because of all the gas moving around in my abdomen and upper back/chest. Today I feel SO much better and have been moving around alot more. I took a shower and was able to remove my outter bandages, so things seem to be progressing very well! I appreciate all of the support on this thread, and I hope that everyone else has a great experience like I did!

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[Rose1992 1]

So glad to hear everything went smooth!I'm scheduled for surgery march 8th and one of my worst fears is being put to sleep.I had a bad experience before and I can't forget it.So I would truly be grateful if u all would pray for me,I so need to do this and I hate that I can't get over the fear.Thank all:)